The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-24
CLAUSE FOUR SUSPENDED.
Present Rates to Rule on Transconti
mental Hauls.

WASHINGTON, April 23-The Interstate
Commerce Commission has caused to be
published in official form for distribution its
recently promulgated ruling, Tin the mat
ter of the petition of the order of Railway
Conductors. and ''in the matter of the petit
ton of the Traders and Travellers Union. "
The commission sat with closed doors to-
day, and VIII leave here for the South Mon
day. Secretary MoSeley will remain in
charge of the commission in Washington.
The commission has made an order sus-
pending the fourth section for seventy-five
DAYS, subject to revocation and with a pro-
viso that intermediate rates shall not he
raised above those in force April 90 This
applies to the Northern Pacific, Southern
Pacific, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe, and
st. Louis and San Francisco lines
THE OFFICIAL STATEMENT.
Following is an official statement prepared
by the Interstate Commerce Commission to
accompany its orders in the matter of trans
continental railroads; 1.-THE commission has
made orders upon application OF the Sonth-
eln Pacific, Northern Pacific, Atchison, To
peka and Santa Fe, and st. Louis and San
Francisco railroad companies for relief from
the operation of section / of the
act to regulate commerce, permitting
carriers to establish rates to and from the
Pacific coast at less amounts than to and
from intermediate points for period not
exceeding seventy-five days. The result has
been reached upon considerations which are
not necessary to he now stated in detail,
but which appear to leave no present
alternative 1t is in evidence produced
that rates to and from local points on some
of the transcontinental lines have been
somewhat reduced since April 5, and also
that through rates which prevailed prior to
April 5 were the result of war of rates
among the lines that produced discrepancy
between local rates and through rates,
which the carriers agree was unreasonable
and do not desire to return to.
SEEKING THE SOLUTION.
'The commission is earnestly engaged in
considering the course which it will finally
adopt in reference TO section 4. Many con
fiicting interests have indicated others to be
heard, and should have an opportunity be
fore our final decision is reached. Ali such
persons are invited to present facts and ar
guments. For the purpose of this
matter only, and without authorizing
any general practice of that nature in order
to obtain the fullest information and afford
the most extended facilities TO distant points
of the country, the commission will receive
atfidavits as to matters of fact and printed
or written arguments on matters of fact or
of law, which should be presented without
delay. This invitation extends to the whole
subject of questions arising under section 1
and is not limited TO petitions of transcon-
tinental roads.
ADVICE TO CARRIERS.
meanwhile the attention of carriers is di-
rected to the propriety of devoting the in
termediate time to the preparation and
adoption of tariffs which shall attempt to
meet in good faith the requirements OF the
act to regulate commerce. giving the same
fair and reasonable Interpretation in re-
spect to all its various features. In making
THESE orders the commission Goes not finally
determine upon their propriety or
justice, but only that pending the investiga-
ton now in progress it is proper. right and
just that the permission provided for be
given in order that the general business of
the country shall receive no unnecessary
shock or damage. The orders are intended
to prevent as far as may be possible the
occurrence of mischief in the period which
in a certain sense is transitionary and
which must of necessity involve changes,
the full extent OF which cannot at present
be forseen.p
A FACTORY SHUTS DOWN.
KEENE, N. H., April 23-The operation
of the interstate law has caused a suspen-
sion of business at Sprague's box factory at
Swansey. The factory has been turning
out over 5000 boxes daily.